SmithKline Beckman

SmithKline Beckman was a prominent American pharmaceutical and medical technology company formed in 1982 through the merger of SmithKline Corporation and Beckman Instruments. The company is best known for developing Tagamet (cimetidine), the first blockbuster drug to reach $1 billion in annual sales, which revolutionized the treatment of peptic ulcers. In addition to its pharmaceutical success, the company was a leader in diagnostic instrumentation and clinical laboratory services. In 1989, SmithKline Beckman merged with the British firm Beecham Group to form SmithKline Beecham, which eventually became part of GSK. The company's legacy includes significant contributions to both chemical therapeutics and electronic laboratory equipment.